Hogan helped make wrestling a family-friendly global spectacle with the rise of ‘Hulkamania’
The world of wrestling is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures. Hulk Hogan, the WWE Hall of Famer who turned professional wrestling into a global pop culture phenomenon, has died at the age of 71.
A report from TMZ said emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning following a reported cardiac arrest. Witnesses stated that multiple police and EMT vehicles were seen outside the property, and Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was transported by stretcher into an ambulance.
While no official cause of death has been released by medical authorities, the nature of his passing has reignited longstanding questions about the toll that decades of punishing physical performance took on the wrestling icon’s body. In recent interviews, Hogan spoke candidly about the extent of his injuries and surgeries — painting a sobering picture of a man whose body had, in his own words, been ‘rebuilt from the ground up.’
‘I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and hips replaced, my shoulders, everything,’ he told Logan Paul in a podcast. ‘There’s nothing original left.’
Hogan first shot to superstardom in 1984 after defeating the Iron Sheik to become the World Heavyweight Champion. From that moment, ‘Hulkamania’ swept across the world, capturing the imagination of children, parents, and fans alike with its larger-than-life showmanship and wholesome charisma.
In the 1990s, he deftly transformed himself from babyface hero to villain with the formation of the New World Order (NWO), donning the persona of Hollywood Hulk Hogan. The move proved to be another stroke of genius, propelling both Hogan and the industry to even greater commercial heights.
His tussles with the likes of Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson became the stuff of wrestling legend. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice — first in 2005, and again in 2020 as part of the NWO.
Behind the fame, Hogan’s body endured incredible punishment. Over the span of four decades, he suffered countless injuries and underwent dozens of surgeries. In May this year, he underwent another neck procedure, believed to be a fusion operation.
Speculation about his declining health had intensified in recent weeks. Reports surfaced that Hogan’s condition had worsened following the surgery. One source told the Daily Mail, ‘His body is the body of a 140-year-old man with all the bumps and bruises through the years.’
Still, Hogan’s wife Sky recently denied that he was in critical condition, telling fans his heart was ‘strong’ and that he was recovering. However, Thursday’s tragic news confirmed the worst fears of many fans.
Outside the squared circle, Hogan had a notable pop culture presence. He played Thunderlips in Rocky III, and starred in films like Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny. His celebrity status extended well beyond wrestling, making him one of the most recognisable figures in entertainment.
Hogan’s career was not without controversy. He was briefly removed from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 after a leaked tape revealed him making racist remarks, though he was reinstated five years later.
In 2024, Hogan made headlines again with an appearance at the Republican National Convention, energising the crowd with his trademark charisma.
In a statement released shortly after his death, WWE said: ‘WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.’
The wrestling world and millions of fans around the globe now mourn a man whose contributions to the sport are immeasurable. Whether in victory or controversy, Hulk Hogan remained a defining figure of an era.
As one fan wrote at a makeshift memorial outside his Florida home: ‘Legends never die — they live forever in the hearts of those they inspired.’
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